Welcome back :)
So, in case you missed the ten million posts in the last few months, you know that the Pure Bride Expo was yesterday. What an amazing experience it was, preparing for it, meeting some lovely brides and their entourages and also meeting some amazing local business owners.
Long story short, the lovely and super-friendly Kate from Pure Bride found some photos of some of my cakes (specifically, the naked cake buffet below) on her desk and hunted me down to ask me to take part in their annual Expo and magazine. Of course, I had no choice but to say yes - cakes, wedding stuff, things to organise...some of my favourite things to do!!
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| Image by fred+hannah |
So began my summer of ideas, organisation and changing my mind 358653 times a day. Eventually I decided to keep to the naked cake/rustic theme and so decorated display cakes and found booth decorations to fit. We thought it came together nicely!
Yes! We had free samples. As it turns out, I have no qualms when it comes to bribing people with food! I had to chuckle several times when a bride-to-be would have her fiance in tow and he would have that glazed-eye look that you see on husbands in shopping centres....then he would see the plate of samples, then he would see the sign telling him that not only did we have free cake, we had free cake that had BEER in it! They couldn't believe their eyes. Judging by their reactions, I'm really happy with this recipe I've doctored in general, as it offers the comfort o chocolate cake that everybody knows, however has this little hint of something different to it. I do think though that maybe I could have a light and a strong version - the strong version with alot more stout in it. I foresee some experimenting now that I've got a little more time!
Now, I'm not an outgoing person by anyone's standards...I am really shy when it comes to people that I don't know. Let's face it, I've worked in the same place for over 6 years and I still don't know the names of half the people there. This was one thing that was worrying me leading up to the expo. How would I not only stop people in their tracks (something I personally hate about attending an expo!), but actually hold a conversation with them and be charming enough that they'd remember me and think of me when it came time to organise their wedding cake??
Turns out I really should'nt have wasted time thinking about it. Also turns out that when you're talking about something you really love and introducing others to that world, shyness has no place in it whatsoever. I found myself chatting away to hundreds of people, explaining things and suggesting things and making jokes. No pauses, no silences, no awkward 'ohmygosh what do I say now!' moments. Who was this person?! I like her!!
I know it sounds so mushy and airy and so un-me, but everyone needs to find something they truly love to do in life. Whether it becomes your job, or your hobby, or it's your family, friends, travelling...find it, hold on and let it make you your best self!
Everything about the expo was a learning experience for me and I'm grateful to Kate for the opportunity, and also forever grateful to my friends for giving up their time to help me out (especially after being part of a conversation with some others about staff and Sunday award rates!).
Until next time,
Nadia x
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